A.D. 



1246. 



[I. 71.] 



November 13. 



They are re- 

 warded with 

 gifts. 



The sore jour- 

 neys of the Le- 

 gates in re- 

 turning. 



Bathy. 



Corrensa. 



THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



by mayne force. Fiftly, because there could come no 

 good by their ambassade, for they were to have none other 

 commission, or authoritie, but onely to deliver their 

 Emperours letter unto the Pope, and to the Princes of 

 Christendome, which very same letters wee our selves had, 

 and we knew right well, that much harme might ensue 

 thereof. Wherefore, the third day after this, namely, 

 upon the feast of Saint Brice, they gave us our passe-port 

 and a Letter sealed with the Emperours owne scale, 

 sending us unto the Emperours mother, who gave unto 

 eche of us a gowne made of Foxe-skinnes, with the furre 

 on the outside, and a piece of purple. And our Tartars 

 stole a yarde out of every one of them. And out of that 

 which was given unto our servant, they stole the better 

 halfe. Which false dealing of theirs, we knew well 

 inough, but would make no words thereof. 



Hov^r they returned homewards. Chap. 33. 



THen taking our journey to returne, we travailed all 

 Winter long, lying in the deserts oftentimes upon 

 the snow, except with our feete wee made a piece of 

 ground bare to lye upon. For there were no trees, but 

 the plaine champion field. And oftentimes in the 

 morning, we found our selves all covered with snow 

 driven over us by the winde. And so travailing till the 

 feast of our Lordes Ascension, we arrived at the court of 

 Bathy. Of whom when wee had enquired, what answere 

 he would send unto our Lord the Pope, he said that he 

 had nothing to give us in charge, but onely that we should 

 diligently deliver that which the Emperour had written. 

 And, having received letters for our safe conduct, the 

 thirteenth day after Pentecost, being Saterday, wee were 

 proceeded as farre as Montii, with whome our foresaide 

 associates and servants remained, which were withheld from 

 us, and we caused them to be delivered unto us. From 

 hence wee travailed unto Corrensa, to whom, requiring 

 gifts the second time at our hands, we gave none, because 

 we had not wherewithall. And hee appointed us two 



178 



